Congress in Rajya Sabha: Raj Babbar injured in UP clashes

New Delhi: Congress on Monday said that its leader and party’s Uttar Pradesh unit chief, Raj Babbar, was injured in police action in Ambedkar Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, where villagers were protesting against demolition of their houses.

Congress’ Pramod Tiwari raised the issue in Rajya Sabha through a notice under Rule 267 that seeks setting aside of business to take up discussion on an issue but the notice was rejected by the Chair.  

However, Mr Tiwari was permitted to briefly speak on the issue.

He was joined by other Congress members in raising the issue of safety and security of Mr Babbar, who is sitting on dharna at the protest site.

Deputy chairman P.J. Kurien said if a House member had a complaint, he could raise it and give a privilege notice.

The Chair then asked Congress members if Mr Babbar was being prevented from attending Parliament. When they replied in the negative, he said the notice would not be admitted.

To this, finance minister and Leader of House Arun Jaitley said Mr Babbar could not be present at both the places at the same time and he would have to decide where he wanted to be.

Mr Kurien said if the Congress member was sitting on a dharna, it was the state government’s responsibility to deal with it.

Earlier, BJP’s Vinay D. Tendulkar took oath as member of Upper House. Mr Tendulkar was elected to Upper House from Goa after he defeated Congress’ Shantaram Naik, took oath in Konkani.